In 2007, three of Western New York’s top soccer club – the Rochester Junior Rhinos, Syracuse Football Club and Buffalo United Soccer Club – joined together to form Empire United Soccer Academy. The unification of these clubs was made possible by their strong working relationship and shared vision on the development of youth soccer players. Empire United believes in a holistic approach to player development. The club’s primary function is to provide an environment that fosters personal, academic, athletic and soccer-specific growth for each individual player.